Evaluation of various levels of walnut meal in broiler diets: effects on growth performance, carcass traits, and thigh meat amino acid and fatty acid composition

BACKGROUND Replacing conventional feed ingredients with cost‐effective and readily available alternatives is a viable strategy for reducing feed costs and enhancing production efficiency. Walnut meal (WM) may serve as a more economical protein source compared to soybean meal. In this study, the effects of incorporating 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10% WM into Ross 308 broiler diets on growth performance, selected slaughter and carcass characteristics, and the fatty acid and amino acid compositions of thigh meat were examined. RESULTS Adding 10% WM negatively affected ( P < 0.05) body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass weight, while feed intake and some slaughter traits were unaffected. WM increased ( P < 0.001) monounsaturated, USFA, n ‐3 PUFA, and n ‐6 PUFA levels, while controls had higher ( P < 0.001) n ‐3 PUFA/ n ‐6 PUFA and SFA/USFA ratios. Fatty acid indices indicated health benefits in WM groups. The inclusion of WM in the compound feeds did not affect the amino acid profile of thigh meat. CONCLUSİON Results showed that including WM at up to 7.5% in broiler diets did not adversely affect growth, carcass traits, or thigh meat fatty acid composition. Dose–response analysis indicated the most favorable outcomes at 2.5% WM. However, when deciding on WM inclusion in broiler (meat‐type) diets, the balance between performance and fatty acid composition should be taken into account.